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Bakırköy

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Türkiye

Nestled in the vibrant district of Florya, the Istanbul Aquarium is a mesmerizing aquatic wonderland that invites visitors to dive into the depths of marine life. Spanning over 22,000 square meters, this aquarium boasts an impressive collection of around 1,700 species, making it one of the largest in the world. As you step inside, the enchanting atmosphere transports you to various aquatic ecosystems—from the Amazon River to the Mediterranean Sea—each exhibit designed to mimic the natural habitats of its inhabitants.

While the main attraction is undoubtedly the captivating marine life, the Istanbul Aquarium also features delightful dining options. The on-site café offers a selection of fresh seafood dishes that reflect the local flavors of Türkiye. One standout dish is the grilled sea bass, perfectly seasoned and served with a side of zesty lemon and herbs, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean. For those with a sweet tooth, the homemade baklava drizzled with honey is a must-try, providing a delightful contrast to the savory dishes.

One of the most breathtaking features of the Istanbul Aquarium is the underwater tunnel, where visitors can walk through a glass corridor surrounded by sharks, rays, and schools of colorful fish. This immersive experience creates a sense of wonder, making you feel as if you are swimming alongside these magnificent creatures. Additionally, the aquarium hosts daily feeding shows, allowing guests to witness the feeding of various species, including the playful penguins that are always a crowd favorite.

Conveniently located at Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No:93, the Istanbul Aquarium is easily accessible and surrounded by a variety of attractions. Just a short drive away, you can explore the beautiful Florya Beach or visit the nearby Aqua Florya Shopping Mall, which offers a range of shops and restaurants. The aquarium is an ideal stop for families, tourists, and anyone looking to experience the wonders of the ocean without leaving the city.

What is the best time to visit the Istanbul Aquarium?

 The aquarium is less crowded during weekdays, making it a great time for families to explore.

 Yes, the aquarium is very kid-friendly, with interactive exhibits and play areas.

 Yes, there is a café offering a variety of dishes and snacks.

Whether you're a local or a traveler, the Istanbul Aquarium promises an unforgettable experience filled with wonder and education. Bring your family, friends, or come solo to explore the depths of the ocean right in the heart of Istanbul. Don’t miss out on this aquatic adventure—plan your visit today!

Big aquarium complex with around 1,700 species in many large tanks, plus a gift shop & eateries.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUNnOEo2OGRREAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJ61XRL8ujyhQRVEf7moaWq3Q/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUNnOEo2OGRREAE

Istanbul Aquarium is a nice place to visit once, but the ticket prices are definitely too high for what you get. The exhibits are well-designed, and the variety of marine life is impressive, but for the price, I expected something more interactive or unique. It’s a fun experience, especially for kids, but not really worth a repeat visit. If you’re in the area and have never been, it’s worth checking out

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfOWZ5dnFnRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJ61XRL8ujyhQRVEf7moaWq3Q/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfOWZ5dnFnRRAB

The aquarium was beautiful, with many species from different parts of the world. There were many different locations (for example the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea, the Amazon river, Suez Canal and the North Pole), apart from sea creatures they also had some spiders, frogs, snakes and one crocodile. It took us about about 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover the whole thing. It is quite big but be aware that some big fish tanks are shown multiple times in different locations around the aquarium with the same fish, just from a different perspective. Also some other tanks had only one of the portrayed species inside and some others were completely missing! A couple of fish tanks were completely empty!! There were no capybaras, no octopuses, no garfish and plus some others. Now the real shame, the penguins were there but the glass was all foggy and we couldn’t see them at all! And it seams like the staff are not planning to do anything about it… Also we visited on Friday which is not child day, but there were so many little children in there and the majority were screaming and some were even crying, it’s really a shame for the staff not to enforce the rules. Lastly, be aware that the price for the tourists is double the price than what it is for Turkish people.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfOVlxVmF3EAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJ61XRL8ujyhQRVEf7moaWq3Q/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfOVlxVmF3EAE

The them park was beautiful, nicely organised and well maintained. It had different themes from different parts of the world like Amazon river, North Pole, Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal etc. There is no capybaras inside so be careful if you want to visit the park just for them. The Amazon theme was my favorite as it had different species of plants and animals (crocodiles, snakes, frogs) but also was so well made that it literally made you feel like you were in the Amazon river.

Now to the downsides, the penguin enclosure was foggy so you could not even see anything (see the picture below). Some aquariums were empty, other ones had 1 fish inside and other ones were so full of fish that I think it is not a good habitat for them to live in this condition. Some fishes were very basic that you could find them even in supermarkets.

Also the big aquarium was used in multiple places from different perspectives thus recycling the same fishes to see. The price was double for the non-Turkish people, a thing that makes me wonder if they want tourists at all. I had bigger expectations for this aquarium as it is the biggest in Istanbul but do not have high expectations too, because you will be disappointed in the end. Fix your prices to be the same for everyone as it is in most civilised societies in the world.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN2NU1DTnhRRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJ61XRL8ujyhQRVEf7moaWq3Q/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN2NU1DTnhRRRAB

I recently visited the Istanbul Aquarium, and it was an incredible experience! The variety of marine life on display is absolutely stunning – from vibrant tropical fish to mesmerizing sharks and rays. Each exhibit is beautifully designed to mimic the natural habitats of the creatures, making it both educational and visually captivating.

One of the highlights was the tunnel aquarium, where you can walk through and feel like you’re surrounded by the ocean. The penguin section was another favorite – they’re so playful and fun to watch!

The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, ready to answer questions and provide insights about the animals. The overall atmosphere was clean, well-organized, and family-friendly.
I highly recommend the Istanbul Aquarium for anyone visiting the city, whether you’re with kids, friends, or exploring solo. It’s a perfect mix of education, entertainment, and relaxation!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2eS1PdEZ3EAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJ61XRL8ujyhQRVEf7moaWq3Q/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2eS1PdEZ3EAE

If you want to see fish I would really recommend you to visit this place , they have huge aquarium and it’s so beautiful you can see many kinds of fish. This place is also very kids friendly even though I don’t have kid but I saw many family come here and the kids look so happy

Explore the 5-Star Istanbul Aquarium in Florya, İstanbul

Dive into adventure at Istanbul Aquarium! Explore stunning marine life and interactive exhibits in Bakırköy. Plan your visit today!

Explore the 5-Star Istanbul Aquarium in Florya, İstanbul

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